Pike Returns in AFTERMATH Issue #1 – Review

“In the aftermath of the 2019 finale, everything in Discovery has changed, and as L’Rell and Pike try to negotiate a fragile peace, Spock finds himself grappling with the fallout from what happened with Michael Burnham – and the mysteries about her still left to unravel.”

With Star Trek: Discovery Season 2 wrapped up and Season 3 well into production, some of us are experiencing withdrawal symptoms from the show. Not to mention, many of us are also craving more adventures with Captain Christopher Pike and his crew. Luckily Star Trek: Discovery – Aftermath gives us what we need!

As mentioned the comic follows the end of Star Trek: Discovery Season 2. Taking place between the final episode and Spock’s return to the USS Enterprise for active duty.

The story looks at what is left behind since the USS Discovery and her crew jetted off to the future. Characters returning are Captain Christopher Pike of the USS Enterprise, Number One, Spock, Amanda Grayson, and L’Rell. New characters are introduced, as well as some Trek Legends which we recognize.

Captain Pike talks with Chancellor L’Rell

Aftermath is written by Kirsten Beyer, who has written for Discovery before, and veteran Trek comic writer Mike Johnson. Johnson has previously worked on the Countdown Comic book series as well as the Star Trek: Boldly Go Series.

The story takes place between the end of Discovery Season 2 and the return of Spock to the USS Enterprise. The first issue predominantly follows the Klingon Empire in the aftermath of the battle against Section 31 and Control.

What is interesting is the perspective on the state of the Klingon Empire from Kor, of the House Of Kol. Yes, the very same Kor from Star Trek: The Original Series episode “Errand of Mercy” and from Deep Space Nine. Kor’s views on L’Rell as chancellor are very different from that of the general Klingon populace, who love L’Rell or “Mother” as they like to call her. Kor chides saying “Leave Mother to me” suggesting something might happen to L’Rell, which will be interesting to see how it plays out in the next issue of the comic.

Kor is also shown as having either very small cranial ridges or none at all, obscured by his hairstyle. This could possibly help link the visuals of the Klingons from Discovery to how we see them in The Original Series and work to blend the continuity of Star Trek together.

Kor, as he appears in Aftermath.

The Comic even ties into Star Trek: The Animated Series with scenes similar to that of “Yesteryear” being shown, with Spock being bullied by other Vulcan children for being half-human. A similar situation also happens in the 2009 Star Trek film. We also see him recite some Lewis Carrol, which Amanda Greyson used to read to both Spock and Michael Burnham.

Chancellor L’Rell gives a speech to the Klingon High Council, informing them of an upcoming meeting between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingons. She informs them, and us, that this meeting is mostly to find the Federations weaknesses so that they can be exploited whenever the next Federation-Klingon conflict happens. Now, this is interesting, as it will lead to Federation-Klingon relations seen in The Original Series. Kor is even enlisted as L’Rells security for this conference, which could be interesting knowing how Kor views L’Rell.

Even Number One likes Spock’s beard! (So do we!)

Personally I really enjoyed this issue and found where the story is going to be very interesting. This Federation-Klingon conference might help set up the relationship between the Federation and the Klingons for how we see them in TOS. Along with what I mentioned earlier, will serve as a point to blend the Star Trek continuity together.

What I loved the most about this comic was the art design and how it brought detail to well-known locations such as the bridge of the Enterprise. One thing that did stick out to me was the design of certain characters. For some reason, particular faces did not seem normal, but this could be due to them being traced.

That’s our review of Star Trek: Discovery – “Aftermath” Issue #1.Should you want to pick up the comic for yourself, it can be found via IDW’s website. Alternatively, most major comic book stores will stock this issue.